Emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases: surveillance and diagnostics

In this paper, the authors list the methods used to diagnose zoonotic diseases in humans and animals; identify the differences in diagnostic approaches among species, providing commentary on the benefits that might arise from simultaneous interpretation of data from human and animal health surveillance systems; and reiterate the importance of using species-specific, validated diagnostic tests for surveillance and disease outbreak investigations. Emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases are likely to provide a continued threat to global health in the short- to medium-term future. A good deal of knowledge has been developed about the drivers of infectious disease emergence, based on numerous examples from the recent past. Sharing diagnostic resources across human and animal health sectors, pooling human and animal health surveillance data, developing skills in the interpretation of those data and being aware of the issues related to the validation and interpretation of diagnostic test data are necessary prerequisites for an effective endemic disease surveillance system. A good understanding of the epidemiological patterns of endemic disease will allow human and animal health professionals to detect the presence of emerging disease threats more quickly and more effectively.